Bergen Light Rail
Bergen Light Rail | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Minimum radius of curvature | 25 m (82 ft) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Electrification | 750 V overhead wire | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average speed | 28 km/h (17 mph) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Top speed | 70 km/h (43 mph) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Bergen Light Rail (Norwegian: Bybanen) is a light rail system in Bergen, Norway. The first stage of the project was a twenty-station stretch between the city center and Lagunen Storsenter, where the first 15 stations comprising a 9.8-kilometre (6.1 mi) stretch opened in 2010,[2] and the second was a 3.6-kilometre (2.2 mi) stretch from Nesttun to Lagunen which opened in June 2013.[3] A third stretch from Lagunen to Bergen Airport, Flesland opened in 2017.[4] The second line between Kaigaten and Fyllingsdalen opened on 21 November 2022.[5] Further plans for the project involve mooted extensions to Åsane and Storavatnet.[6]
Plans for rail transit have existed since the 1970s, following the 1965 closing of the Bergen Tramway. A rapid transit design was first discarded, and in the 1990s a light rail line was proposed. The decision to start construction was made in 2005. The first stage was built by the municipality with financing from the state and the toll road ring, based on the Bergen Program. Ownership, maintenance and further extensions and vehicles are the responsibility of Hordaland County Municipality through its wholly owned subsidiary Bybanen AS. Operation is governed by public service obligation contracts issued by the county public transport authority Skyss. From 2010 to 2017 the line and its 20[7] Variobahn trams were operated by Keolis Norge (formerly Fjord1 Partner).
History
Background
The first public transport in Bergen was the
Prior to the shortening of the main
During the 1970s, plans had existed for an extensive rapid transit system, with an underground section in the city center. Inspired by the successful
During the 1980s and 1990s, a toll ring was constructed around Bergen to finance a massive investment in motorways. This included European Route E39 north and south of the center, the road to the airport, and west to Loddefjord and Storavatnet. Bridges were constructed to Lindås, Askøy and Sotra, and large parking garages were built in the city center. Despite this congestion continued, and it was no better in the 2000s than in the 1970s. Proposals to build bus lanes and traffic signal preemption was disregarded by the Public Roads Administration.[8]
In 1995, the municipal bus company Bergen Sporvei made a proposal to establish what they called the Lightning Tram, from Varden in Fyllingsdalen via a tunnel to Møhlenpris and the city center, then make a 120° turn and return along the route of the Bergen trolleybus to Birkelundstoppen. The same year, the Norwegian Society for the Conservation of Nature proposed a more extensive system, the Environmental Tram, which more closely resembles the current proposals. From the city center, it would run northwards via Åsane to Flaktveit and southwards via Rådal to the airport (not via Nesttun). The southern section would have branches from Hop to Nesttun and Midttun, and from Minde westwards to Fyllingsdalen and Loddefjord.[9] Later, Bergen Sporvei's successor, Gaia Trafikk, proposed building a bus rapid transit.[10]
Political process
The plans launched by the city administration most closely resembled the Environmental Tram, with slight changes. The initial plans involved a line from the city center via Nesttun to the airport at
The arguments for light rail were mainly related to the environment, urban development and reduction in road congestion. Light rail is estimated to increase the use of public transport from Fana, reducing both local and global pollution. The roads do not have capacity for further growth, and any increase in public transport would need to be taken along the light rail routes on buses—this would give higher operating costs for public transport or higher investment costs for roads. Around the stations, high-density commercial and residential centers can be established. Opponents of the project argued that it is unfair that public transport be funded by car drivers through toll roads. Protests from people in northern and western areas of the city have risen, since they are paying for the system but will not receive the benefits. Another issue has been speed: the line to Nesttun has 15 stops in 10 kilometers (6.2 mi), giving an average speed of 28 km/h (17 mph). For people living south of Nesttun, this will give a longer travel time to the city center than with direct buses that do not make intermediate stops.[13][14][15][16][17]
The naming of the stations caused local debate. A draft for names were made by the municipal administration and then sent to the borough councils in Fana, Årstad and Bergenhus. Four names were changed: Nonneseteren from Jernbanen, Florida from Strømmen, Brann stadion from Nymark and Hop from Troldhaugen. Brann stadion and Troldhaugen were afterwards considered by the municipal administration, because they could be in violation of the Place Name Act. The general rule is to use the place name where the station is located, and naming after institutions or facilities nearby is not permitted unless they are in the immediate vicinity. Brann stadion, named for the football venue, was declared a borderline case, but within the rules, while Troldhaugen was not permitted because the area is not in the vicinity of the station.[18]
Construction
Initial works commenced in August 2007, when Pastasentralen was demolished to make room for a temporary bus terminal that would allow Kaigaten to be closed for construction.
Construction started in January 2008. To pass over
Four companies bid for the initial public service obligation to operate the line:
Along with the establishment of the light rail service, the public transport in Bergen underwent other changes. Skyss was established in 2007 to administer the public transport system, manage routes and market public transport, which would be operated by private companies based on public service obligations. At the same time, a new electronic ticketing system was introduced.[25]
Because of delays from Stadler's subcontractors, five instead of eight trams were available when the line opened on 22 June 2010. Skyss had planned to operate with a ten-minute headway until August, but had a 15-minute headway until 16 August. To compensate, none of the parallel bus routes ceased until then.[26] On 7 June, two trams collided at low speed at Byparken, causing a derailment[27] and forced the two trams to be repaired. This caused the summer schedule to be reduced to a 30-minute headway.[28] From 1 November, the line started running every six minutes during the rush hour.[29] On 22 June, the first part of the line was officially opened by Queen Sonja of Norway.[30]
Route
The first part of the line is 9.8-kilometre (6.09 mi) and runs from the city center to Nesttun. The northernmost part of the line, Byparken Terminal, is a transit mall at the heart of the city center and has interchange with all buses serving the city center. The line runs south along Kaigaten, with Nonneseter stop serving the railway station and Bystasjonen serving the bus station. Southwards, the line runs in a grass right-of-way through Nygård and Florida, serving the campus of the University of Bergen. The line passes over Nygård Bridge before coming to Danmarks plass, the only island platform on the system. In this area, the track is on maize, a type of surface that allows emergency vehicles to drive safely, but makes the surface look unsafe for cars.[13]
The line passes the depot at
After the completion to Nesttun, the line was extended southwards to Rådal at Lagunen Storsenter. Construction began in January 2011,[31] on its own right-of-way parallel to the existing road;,[13] the track was completed in October 2012.[32] The first test run to Lagunen was conducted on 6 December 2012, and the line was opened to the public on 22 June 2013.[33]
The light rail is now connected from Lagunen via Kokstad to Bergen Airport, Flesland. Both Sørås and Indre Steinsvik have experienced rapid housing construction without a corresponding increase of public transport. Further out is a large corporate center with many of Bergen's largest employers, such as Telenor, Equinor and BKK. The area was built without sufficient roads or public transport, and has among the worst road congestion in the urban area. Building the light rail line to Flesland supplements the airport shuttles and offer cheaper service for locals and employees at the airport. Another incentive to build to Flesland was that there was sufficient available land which allows a large depot to be constructed. After the line was opened to Lagunen, there was insufficient space at Kronstad to house additional trams.[13] The line to the airport opened in 2017.
Plans
Plans for the expansion northwards from the city center to Åsane involve either building the system to replace many of the local buses operating in Sandviken, or make the light rail line an express service. If the latter is chosen, the line will bypass Bryggen in a tunnel and make few stops before Åsane. An important stop mid-way is the Norwegian School of Economics. The terminus will probably be Åsane Senter or Nyborg; the former shopping center has set aside areas for a station. At Åsane, a major bus terminal would allow connections to the northern parts of Bergen, suburbs further north and areas in Nordhordland. An important political argument for prioritizing this line is to spread out the investments to all parts of the city, since the line is being financed by taxpayers and car-users throughout the city.[34]
The third expansion runs from the city center southwards, east of the Center–Nesttun Line, serving
Operation
The building of the line is the responsibility of Bybanen Utbygging, which is an agency within Vestland County. The physical infrastructure and trams are owned by Bybanen AS, a limited company wholly owned by Vestland County.[38] This company is responsible for maintenance of the right-of-way and the vehicles, and for extensions. Light rail operations are based on contracts granted after public tender competitions held by Skyss, a county agency that administers all public transport in Hordaland, including buses, boats and ferries. From 2010 to 2017, with the possibility for a two-year extension, the line will be operated by Keolis Norge AS.[39] Stadler has the responsibility for maintenance of the trams for the first seven years, as part of the purchase contract.[13]
The line is operated on a four/five-minute headway by all-stops trams, with an eight-minute headway in off-peak times and a 20 minutes headway at night. Travel time from Byparken to Lagunen is 32 minutes.[15] In 2022, the full price of a single ticket is NOK 40. [40] Tickets are valid with free transfer to buses in Bergen.[41]
Rolling stock
In 2007, the Planning Office ordered 12 Variobahn trams from Stadler Rail, with an additional four on option. The first tram arrived on 7 December 2009, and was used for testing in the months leading up to the opening. Before the opening, three more trams were in place.[42] The trams are 32.180 m (105 ft 6.9 in) long and 2.65 meters (8 ft 8 in) wide, weighing 35.7 tonnes (35.1 long tons; 39.4 short tons). They have five articulated sections, and are expandable with another two modules to a length of 42 meters (137 ft 10 in), should higher capacity be necessary. All stations are built for extended trams.[34]
There is a slightly elevated driver's cab at each end. Eight motors provide a total of 360 kW (480 hp) for three bogies. This allows a maximum speed of 70 km/h (43 mph), limited to 50 km/h (31 mph) in city streets and 25 km/h (16 mph) in the depots. Acceleration is 1.25 m/s2 (4.13 ft/s2), and they are capable of operating on a 7.0% gradient. Current is collected via a pantograph, at 750 volts direct current. Each tram is sufficiently powerful to haul another unit in case of emergencies.[34]
Capacity is for 212 passengers, of which 84 can sit four abreast. The entire tram is step-free, including between the cars and the platforms. Seats are designed for travel times up to 60 minutes. There are four slide and plug doors on each side; three are double, with a total width of 1,300-millimeter (4 ft 3 in), while the last is a single 800-millimeter (2 ft 7 in) door. Stop buttons are only available at the doors; this has been chosen to speed alighting times. Between the seats there is a minimum width of 720 mm (2 ft 4 in), which allows wheelchair and buggy access along the full length of the car. All stations are announced visually and orally. The trams have wireless Internet access.[34]
All stations are announced with a short distinctive melody and the station's name. The melodies were composed by Snorre Valen,[43] while the voice was recorded by Heidi Lambach.[44]
Currently there are 34 Variobahn trams in operation.[45]
Infrastructure
The system is
The line is double track, allowing visual signaling and speed adjustment on all at-grade stretches. In city streets S60 track is used; on private right-of-way, S49 track. The minimum curve radius is 25 metres (82 ft 0 in) and tracks in city streets are laid within a rubber jacket to reduce noise. In the tunnels, only one tram can operate in each direction; this is regulated by lights and an
The depot is at Kronstad, at a former yard used by the
Stations
Fifteen stations were built for the first stage, and five for the second stage. The stations and the visual profile of the system as a whole are designed by the Bergen-based design groups Cubus and Fuggi Baggi Design, and Copenhagen-based Kontrapunkt. The stations of the first two stages are at street level, with facilities for buying tickets and dynamic displays that show when the next tram will arrive. The platforms have step-free access to the trams, allowing unhindered accessibility by wheelchairs and perambulators.[46][47]
The municipal government has permitted denser development around the stations, where it wants most new housing and commercial property to be built. Development projects for Slettebakken, Wergeland, Paradis and Lagunen have been announced by private developers. Many of the stations are in primarily residential areas, and the projects have met resistance from residents who fear that the character of their neighborhoods will be altered.[16][48][49][50]
References
- ^ "Stor økning i antall reisende med Bybanen". ba.no (in Norwegian). 18 February 2019. Archived from the original on 27 August 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
- ^ "Hvor skal bybanen gå?" (in Norwegian). Bybanekontoret i Bergen. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 18 January 2010.
- ^ "Bybanen – vår tids bystorverk - Bybanen-utbygging, HFK". Archived from the original on 18 October 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
- ^ "No veks Bybanen - Skyss". Archived from the original on 20 September 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
- ^ "A second new tram line in Bergan/Norway". Urban Transport Magazine. 21 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ Bybanen. "Public transport network - Bergen and surrounding areas". Archived from the original (JPEG) on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2007.
- ^ "Sporvogner | Bybanen AS". Archived from the original on 21 January 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
- ^ a b c d Meulman, Jacobus (2000). "Lokalbaneplaner i Bergen i 1970-årene". På Sporet. 104: 28–35.
- ^ Andersen, Bjørn (1996). "Trikk i Bergen igjen". Lokaltrafikk (in Norwegian). 27: 12–17.
- ^ Børhaug, Espen (11 December 2004). "Gigantbuss" (in Norwegian). Bergens Tidende. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 18 June 2007.
- ^ Bybanen. "Bergen får Norges mest velfungerende og nyskapende transportsystem". Archived from the original (Doc) on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 18 June 2007.
- ^ "Flertall for bybane i Bergen". Haugesunds Avis (in Norwegian). 10 October 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Schminke, Jimmy (2009). "Bybanen i Bergen: Status midt i byggeperioden". Lokaltrafikk (in Norwegian). 72: 20–30.
- ^ "Frps prinsipper". Dagens Næringsliv (in Norwegian). 13 May 2008. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2009.
- ^ a b "Hvorfor Bybanen i Bergen?" (in Norwegian). Bergen Light Rail Project Office. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2009.
- ^ a b Røyrane, Eva (9 January 2008). "Det skjer langs Bybanen". Bergens Tidende (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
- Natur og Ungdom. Archived from the originalon 22 July 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2009.
- ^ Waage, Thor Erik (5 December 2008). "- Må undersøke navnebruken". Bergens Tidende/Fanaposten (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 5 December 2008.
- ^ a b c "Bybanen". Lokaltrafikk (in Norwegian). 66: 27. 2007.
- ^ Haga, Anders (13 December 2007). "Bybane-avtaler klare". Byggaktuelt (in Norwegian). Retrieved 7 November 2009.[dead link]
- ^ Haga, Anders (4 November 2009). "Bybanen kan gi deg økt strømregning". Bergensavisen (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 12 June 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
- ^ Skyss (2 April 2009). "Fjord1 Partner skal køyre Bybanen" (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2009.
- ^ Railway Gazette International (3 April 2009). "Keolis to operate Bergen light rail line". Archived from the original on 16 November 2009. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
- ^ Suesund, Reidun (6 November 2009). "324 vil jobbe på Bybanen". Bergensavisen (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 9 November 2009. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
- ^ Mæland, Pål Andreas (5 November 2009). "- Må bli ferdig før Bybanen". Bergensavisen (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 14 November 2009. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
- ^ Mæland, Pål Andreas (24 April 2010). "Bybanen dukker opp sjeldnere". Bergens Tidende (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 26 April 2010. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
- ^ "Bybanen sporet av" (in Norwegian). Bergens Tidende. 7 June 2010. Archived from the original on 10 June 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
- ^ Tufto, Jon; Ystaas, Sonja (11 June 2010). "Gir svar på bybanekrasj" (in Norwegian). Bergens Tidende. Archived from the original on 13 June 2010. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
- ^ "Bybanen schedule" (PDF). Skyss. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 December 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
- ^ Aarøy, Torunn; Strande, Geir Martin; Bordvik, Målfrid; Vol, Jan Stian (22 June 2010). "Signingsferden" (in Norwegian). Bergens Tidende. Archived from the original on 26 June 2010. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
- ^ "Byggestart 3. januar 2011" (in Norwegian). Bybanen. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
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- ^ a b c d e Schmincke, Jimmy (2007). "Nye sporvogner til Bergen". På Sporet. 132: 4–10.
- ^ "A second new tram line in Bergan/Norway". Urban Transport Magazine. 21 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- Norwegian National Rail Administration. 9 November 2007. Archived from the originalon 15 April 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
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- ^ Hordaland County Municipality (18 March 2009). "Pressemelding" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2009.
- ^ "Keolis to operate Bergen light rail line". Railway Gazette International. 3 April 2009. Archived from the original on 16 November 2009. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
- ^ "Nye prisar frå 1. februar". Skyss. January 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
- Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation. 3 April 2009. Archivedfrom the original on 11 October 2009. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
- ^ Tufto, Jon (7 December 2009). "Her kommer Bybanen" (in Norwegian). Bergens Tidende. Archived from the original on 8 December 2009. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
- ^ Hjelle, Jo (24 April 2010). "Bybanemelodiene" (in Norwegian). Bergens Tidende. Archived from the original on 27 April 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
- ^ Duesund, Reidun (27 August 2010). "Bybane-stemmen". Bergensavisen (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 30 August 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
- ^ "A second new tram line in Bergan/Norway". Urban Transport Magazine. 21 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ "Designprosjektet Bybanen" (in Norwegian). Bybanen i Bergen. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
- ^ "Bybanen i Bergen" (in Norwegian). Arkitektgruppen CUBUS. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
- ^ Langeland Haugen, Erlend (12 February 2009). "- Som perler på en snor". Bergens Tidende (in Norwegian). Retrieved 27 July 2009.
- ^ Mæland, Pål Andreas (1 March 2007). "Spekulerer langs Bybanen". Bergens Tidende (in Norwegian). Retrieved 27 July 2009.
- ^ Mæland, Pål Andreas (6 January 2009). "Ut mot ny veiløsning på Paradis". Bergens Tidende (in Norwegian). Retrieved 27 July 2009.